Rise of the Dragon Riders {CLOSED}

[tenebria]

Alalëa snapped Islingr back towards her just in time to parry the katana, causing the elf to repeat her own movement a moment ago. As her Urumi recoiled from the impact, her opponent leapt up again, the flashing silver katana swinging forwards. With a swift movement, Alalëa leapt forwards to meet her, her shining blade solid as she slammed it into the katana with a force that reverberated up her spine. The two weapons locked, but she knew it could not last long, not with three blades engaged in the battle. Her focus was so acute that she almost felt as if she could hear every shifting muscle her opponents body, every sliding drop of sweat that crept down her own face, ever crunch of dirt under their feet as she strained against her worthy opponent.

[Chloriosus]

Firasko had conducted another spinning crouch and then came back up again to back up her defending sword, and found herself face to face with the violet eyed elf. Sweat ran down her face and she breathed out and tightened her grip, straining her legs to push forward. Their blades were locked, but it was clear this motionless, deadly stance wouldn’t last long. Firasko ground her right foot more firmly into the ground, but she felt that she was going back, slowly, but surely. She strained some more, her eyes narrowing the slightest bit, when she felt her strength give, and she fell back. She rolled slightly to the side landing on her feet and standing up again, breathing somewhat heavily, but she knew she had lost. In a real fighting scenario, Allalea would have ended her while she was slightly vulnerable. She sheathed her Katanas and stepped forward, holding out her hand rather awkwardly. She had enjoyed this fight a lot, it had been something real and challenging, and a slight shy smile played around the corners of her mouth.

[tenebria]

Alalëa's leg's began to shake slightly as she pressed her entire weight into the katanas, making sure her opponent would not have a moments relief to get one free. The sweat was now running freely down her face, her arms beginning to visibly shake slightly from the exertion she had put upon them that day. With a grunt she pushed herself harder, thrusting against the blades and slipping a foot forwards, sliding it along the ground until she found a stronger grip, and the realization that she was moving forwards, and therefore pushing the other back, fueled her waning energy for another strong push. And with that, the elf rolled to the ground. Alalëa stumbled forwards slightly from the sudden lack of resistance and took the opportunity to step forward swiftly, Islingr raised as the elf gracefully got to her feet. A satisfied warmth flooded her, the result of a true worthy duel. She raised her sword in front of her in a respectful salute. Truly, a few more moments and Firasko may have had her, and she knew that. Spinning her sword in her hand she swiftly sheathed it, at the same time accepting the outstretched hand with a glint of camaraderie and much respect in her eyes. "I thank you for a truly challenging duel, of which I have not had in some time" she said honestly, her mouth curving slightly in response to Firasko's rare smile.

[wingfeather]

At the sound of a foreign voice all the dragonlings ceased their romping and perked up their heads, ''who be dat,'' asked a very newly hatched dragon. ''he's a human bean, can't yeh see that,'' replied a slightly older dragon. ''Oh,'' was all the younger responded. They ice dragon turned around and rolled his eyes, ''he be no human bean, see he be small,'' (referring to Elexian down on his knees), ''he be dawf.'' ''Ohhh all the others chorused, for the ice dragon was the oldest and was deemed the leader. ''But wait,'' another squeaked, ''he don't got a beard!'' ''Well he just cuts it offs,'' replied the ice dragon hastily, now slightly unsure of himself but would never reveal that to his trusting followers. Elexian laughed at the strange antics of the baby dragons, of course he had no idea what they were saying but the seemed to be discussing something quite serious.

[Chloriosus]

Firasko shook Alalaeas hand firmly and nodded. They would have to do this again some time, she decided She wanted to go check on Crimson when she noticed that the sun was rather low in the west already. Presumably, dinner was already to be served. Firask tightened her katana sheaths and walked alongside the other elf towards the mess hall, where several novices had already gathered, including Sorgen. He had thought for a while in the woods, but it seems that the more time you set aside to think on things, the more empty and lost your mind becomes. Finding out so, he had walked towards his dwelling, and had passed Jorkvan, one of the stable boys. Full of freckles, and birds nest of unruly matte brownish hair, and scorching orangish eyes, Jorkvan could sometimes give quite the interesting conversation. He talked a lot, and thought little of what he said. At the moment, however, he was in a rather bad mood, for it was his day to set up the training grounds. All had gone well, and he had finally finished setting up several new dummies, and then that vicious whip wielding elf had destroyed everything, EVERYTHING. Not ONE dummie was on the grounds that was not torn to undefinable bits. “Ah finished settin em up not three minutes ago, and in comes this piece of levelheaded madness. Why not just tear me to pieces as well? I’d rather do that than set everything up anew anyday.” Sorgen gave his sort of friend a small pat on the back, and tried to get a word in edgewise. “I did cause her some trouble earlier at the-“, he didn’t get any farther, for Jorkvan slid his hand through his hair and shook it. “Oh don’t even get me STARTED on causing trouble. That one boy, I forgot his name, but it was a horrid one anyhow, is completely new here, and he’s got the mistress Nuana COMPLETLY smitten!!! He won’t even let the others get a chance with her! Oh, it might have seemed a small matter, but it happens all the time! After she and the nut headed fire haired half witted cross dragon riders left the stall, we had a full scale BRAWL in the back.” Sorgen raised his eyebrows. “Did you win?” Jorkvan spit disgustedly. “No, I did not, which is why I was getting these grounds cleared up in the first place! We made a bet on who would win would take the other’s responsibilities, and he won, that slick bag of filth, but only because he planned it all, I’ll bet my fingers. Why, I bet he was the one who made the one with the shadow dragon so mad that she’d smash up things in the first place. I just thought of that. He did it on purpose, just to spite me! Oh just wait till I get my hands on him!! He’s not coming off that easy, not this time, not from me. I reckon he did it on purpose. I will crack all his ribs. Don’t you think he did it a purpose, cloud head?” Sorgen had been taught to be an honest lad, but he really had a rough day that day, and telling Jorkvan what had really happened didn’t seem like a brilliant optio, especially seeing that he had two disagreeable tasks yet that day. So he shook his head in approval. “I’m sure that dirt water did.”, he told his friend . Jorkvan nodded. “I always knew you to be a smart one! Say, what say we go find him and beat him up, RIGHT NOW. How’s that sound?” Sorgen most definitely did not want to do that, so he found himself an excuse. “I really would, but I think it’s good time now… bye!” And then he ran off.

[tenebria]

Alalëa gave a nod in response and watched as the dark haired elf walked off, heading for the stables. Suddenly she realized just how hot and tired she was, and she swept a hand over her brown, glad her hair was still up in a long braid, at least keeping her neck cool. But at least her anger had dissipated completely. That was a bonus for sure. She smiled slightly as she remembered the duel. It was quite a thrilling feel to be matched against a true opponent! She hoped the elf would agree to do it again sometime. The sound o voices suddenly alerted her, and she looked over to see two figures heading her direction. One of them had the all too familiar appearance of that novice rider with the electric dragon that caused all the problems. She scowled and spun on her heel, swiftly going the opposite direction, her steps automatically taking her to the mess hall. By the time she realized where she was going, she could already smell the tantalizing scent of well cooked meat, and she hurried her pace inside, seating herself at a far dark corner, where hopefully neither of the two she was definitely trying to avoid would approach.

[wingfeather]

Suddenly a shrill whistle filled the air and all the baby dragons scrambled away toward Thyra who was holding a basket of smoked fish. Elexian realized that it must be dinner time, quickly he got to his feet and, after saying farewell to Thyra, quickly made his way to the mess hall. Upon entering he glanced around quickly, great. his spot was taken.... by that elf he met earlier in the stables. He felt his temper flare up, he knew he needed to go and see her and explain things but he still could not bring himself to go. Instead he seated himself at a table in the other shadowed corner, and waited for his food to be brought.

[Chloriosus]

Sorgen had thought he had broken away from Jorkvan early enough, but to his dismay, Allalea as well as Elexian had gotten in first. He nervously ducked down into the crowd, unable to spot either of them, and sat somewhere in the middle, behind Yurgin, a sturdy youth. Hopefully that would cover him from one side. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his mother walk in, and he hoped she wouldn’t THINK of looking for him. He was in luck that dinner, for she sat next to some other lady, and talked about laundry. Firasko also walked in, and stopped by the kitchen to get her food faster. Upon finding her usual spot taken by Allalea, she sat down across from her, and started eating, her mind drifting off to todays duel. She had given it her best shot, yet her footing had been somewhat sloppy. Not only that, she had simply been out fought. The duel had been close, yet still she had lost. Firasko made a mental note to herself to practice more on focusing on her surroundings.

[Chloriosus]

Arrow nodded to his brothers statement, although he grimaced during the first half of it. “Top class air.”, he countered. “The best money could buy. Not that money could do anything with a face like yours.”, he said, smiling at her brightly.”but yes, behind the stables a ways is a beautiful scented clearing.”

[tenebria]

Alalëa glanced up as a maid set the food before her and she ravenously dug in, only averting her gaze when she heard the sound of someone walking towards her. Seeing her not so long ago opponent, she smiled briefly in greeting before turning her attention back to the important task of demolishing the delicious meal.

Visilva finally came out of her self pitying dark state, managing to regain some thread of self dignity and drawing herself up, padding over to her water trough and slurping up a large amount before moving over to her stall door. Hmm... now this was a problem. She had really only had time to hunt a small buck that morning, and was hoping that at this time she'd be able to go hunting. If only the walls weren't shaped in such a curved fashion, she'd be able to hop right out, but the opening certainly was not made for one of her size. And her rider had already fixed that oh so useful crack at the bottom of the door. She growled and sniffed it, then experimentally pushed it with her head. Nope, firmly latched. With an angry glare at the door she sat down and curled her scaley tale around her claws as she studied the problem. She'd lived at the Nest for almost 28 years... surely she could figure out a measly little lock they had managed to contrive!

[tenebria]

Leilani had been eyeing the two twins with suspicion, but was was utterly surprised and pleased to find that the spot to which they were lead seemed highly adequate. It was perfect for taking off in fact! She gave them a look down her scaly nose, then deigned a very verrrryyy slight nod to them both. They would get no more than that. She turned her gaze back to the pine forest, waiting for her rider.

Nuana gave a light smile as the twins continued to "compliment" her in almost every sentence they spoke, and she was quite pleased when they stepped out onto a rather nice ledge, with a light breeze that wasn't too strong. But she was careful not to show too much pleasure. "Hmm.. I suppose it will do." she said with a scornful look at them, then resting a hand on her dragons neck. "I shall allow you two to stay and watch our flight if you so wish" she said with a very gracious smile.

[wingfeather]

Elexian waited as a serving lad set down a bowl of potatoes and roasted mutton before, quickly he dug in and began wolfing down the food in great bites. After he had finished eating and had drank down the rest of his ail he looked out across the room at where Alalëa sat with another elf, great, he thought, ah well I suppose there is no time like the present and besides after I get this over with then I don't have to talk with her ever again. And this was the way Elexian consoled himself. He quickly strode toward the two girls eating, ignoring the fact that there was another person there as well Elexian spoke without even waiting for Alalëa to glance at him, ''I apologize, Alalëa for the for the very rude way I spoke to you in the stables. You are a very good rider and I respect you as a warrior,'' he told her stiffly.

[Chloriosus]

Sorgen was warrilly eating his food (notice how I dind't say what it was because I have no idea what it was myself), when he noticed Elexian, the elf he had more than slightly enraged walking towards the other end of the table. He looked visibly cooled off now, so Sorgen glanced about, deciding on wether or not to apologize. He decided to do it, and calmed his anxious mind. He drew his breath together and put his bowl of food on his sat, quetly folowing the elf then running so that he wouldn't lose him. He noticed that he was standing by the edge of the table, so he quickly stopped beside him, tried to collect his scattered thoughts, and took a dep breath. "Sir I am so deeply sorry about all that hapened-" He stopped dea, for sitting right there was Alalea, the OTHER elf he upset and nearly driven to insanity. He lanced at her his palms sweaty, then swallowed and looked back up at Elexian, his voice barely coming out in a whisper,"for what happened earlier. I- I will try to control her better." He swalowed again and looked at Alalea, who seemed a lot more thresatening when she was at eye level. "And to you too.", he said hurriedly. "I'm sorry." He stood there indecisivly for a second, his mouth twitching and his stomach knotting from cold lumps to hot waves. He couldn\t bear that much longer and ran out of the mess hall, to the back of the dragon stables, accidentally unlocking Visilva's cage as he walked by. "Oh double toad spawn.", he said worriedly, before getting pulled into he corner by Jorkvan. "Oh yer back again.', Jorkvan smiled with a grin, if that was humanly possible. Sorgen sighed.

[tenebria]

Alalëa heard footsteps approaching just as she forked another large mouthful of mutton into her mouth, and before she could turn to be sure of who it was, the deep voice of the dark haired elf sounded from behind her. The food seemed to stick in her throat for a moment as she remembered his words from earlier, but as his current speech settled into her head, she relaxed slightly, now feeling mildly embarrassed herself. She turned on the bench to look up at him, also finding it awkward that she was sitting while he was standing, then gave him a curt nod of thanks. "I accept your apology, thank you" she said a bit stiffly. She would have turned her attention away from him, but her conscience was being pricked. With an inside groan she turned her eyes back to his, speaking swiftly and to the point. "Your speech was not totally uncalled for though, I should have better control over my own dragon at this time. I most truly assure you that I will keep a firmer hand with her from this day forward" she said, a bit of relief flooding her now that she'd got it out. But also embarrassment at admitting her own failure as a dragon rider. She abruptly turned her eyes back to her food, thinking the awkward speeches were over. But not so. A young nervous voice wobbled from behind her and she turned more swiftly this time, her eyes hard as they locked onto the young scruffy haired rider whos dragon had instigated such issues. Her gaze narrowed. So he was apologizing. He would TRY to control her? Why not just control her? Her scowl deepened, and she refused to acknowledge the younger, more incompetent rider with any sort of acceptance of his apology. Apparently it was too much for him and he suddenly seemed to almost leap into a run from where he stood, disappearing, somehow without injuring another human in his mad dash, out the door. The elf scowled and turned her gaze back to her food, the sight of the young rider bringing her exhausted temper simmering back.

[tenebria]

Visilva was still studying the lock, having attempted a few maneuvers in the past few minutes, one of which included using her tail, and another using her claw, but both had availed nothing, and now she was running out of ideas. Suddenly a commotion of running footsteps was heard down the hall, and she raised a scaly eyebrow as she glanced down. A sudden blur of a rider flashed past, along with a clicking sound. She blinked, and it even took her a few moments to register the sound. The lock. Her door. Her eyes glimmered and she nudged the door experimentally. It gently swung open. She grinned a toothy fearsome grin and stepped out, swiftly plunging into the shadows of the stables and slithering through them, heading past a rather distraught looking young rider, which she failed to remember as being the electric dragons owner, which was rather lucky for him.

Krolo whistled slightly to himself as he walked along past the stables, a large pitchfork balanced easily on his shoulders in a relaxed position. Did it bother him that he had hatchling cleanup duty? Not really. He liked being around the strange little squeaky dragonlings, and it was much better than taking care of the larger dragons anyway. His thoughts were mildly turned as he absent mindedly strolled over to the stables and closed an open stable door, clicking the two locks in place and moving on... until the realization struck him. TWO LOCKS. Visilva. His face turned pale, then almost red with anger. "WHO OPENED VISILVA"S CAGE?" He yelled, looking around for a hapless fellow stableboy to berate.